An update from Bacon Free Library

Monday Morning Stories and Songs

Mondays at 10:00 am 

Join us for a high-energy story time! We’ll mix things up with a combination of stories for listening and songs for dancing. If it is 55 degrees or warmer, this program will be held outside on the library lawn, so bring a blanket or chair. Look for us around back! If it is rainy or less than 55 degrees, the storytime will be moved indoors.

Cinéphile Mondays

Monday, April 24 @ 4:00 pm on Zoom

Cinephiles, join us for our film series! Watch a movie at home and then join Film History & Media studies Professor MV for a virtual discussion on the last Monday of the month. Join us this month for a discussion of Jia Zhang-ke's The World, available to request on DVD through the Minuteman Network. Please visit our website to learn more and email [email protected] to register for the Zoom meeting.

Colorful Storytime

Tuesdays at 10:00 am 

It’s fun to learn about the beautiful colors in the world!  Join us for stories, rhymes, and songs highlighting a different color each week. Kiddos (and their grownups!) are encouraged to bring or wear something that goes with the color of the week. This week's color is purple.

Tuesday Book Club

Tuesday, April 25 at 6:30 pm hybrid 

Join us for a hybrid discussion (in person at the library or on Zoom) of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford. Copies available at the library, or borrow digitally. Please email [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link.

Explore the Salem Maritime National Historic Park

Wednesday, April 26 at 12:00 pm on Zoom

In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library, join us for this virtual lecture! Established on March 17, 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of land and twelve historic structures along the Salem waterfront, as well as a downtown visitor center. The park preserves and interprets over 600 years of New England’s maritime history and global connections. Learn about this National Historic Site with Supervisory Park Ranger Andrew Donovan. Please register here to receive the Zoom link. This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 24 hours of the program.

Baby Time

Fridays at 10:00 am

Join us for a cozy storytime filled with lap bounces, rhymes, songs, and simple stories. Geared toward infants and young toddlers with their grownups. 

Drop-In Craft and StoryWalk

Saturday, April 29 from 10-12

Join us for an eco-friendly craft (repurposed book garlands), then stroll through the beautiful library grounds and enjoy our new StoryWalk®. All ages welcome! This program is part of EcoNatick’s Earth Day All Around Natick. 
The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. Storywalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.

Art Exhibit: Lisa Hayden

On display through May 2

Lisa Hayden will exhibit a collection of paintings through May 2 at the BFL. Lisa is a Massachusetts native who studied painting at the University of Miami where the vibrant world of South Florida has combined with a life in New England to form a lasting influence on her art for 30 years. She exhibits her work at art fairs and gallery shows throughout New England and is active with ArtsWorcester. With an abstract take on the natural world and a deep love of the ocean, Lisa brings the outdoors inside. Learn more at her website.

Dog Tales Storytime

Monday, May 1 at 10:00 am

Muri and her human Cheryl will be visiting the BFL for a fun and furry storytime! Join us for dog-approved stories and a chance to pet this calm, sweet, and soft therapy dog. If it is 55 degrees or warmer, this program will be held outside on the library lawn, so bring a blanket or chair. Look for us around back! If it is rainy or less than 55 degrees, the storytime will be moved indoors.

Explore the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Wednesday, May 3 at 12:00 pm on Zoom

In collaboration with the Tewksbury Public Library, join us for this virtual lecture! In the 1600’s, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened — the birth of the American Iron and Steel Industry! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin. Learn about this National Historic Site with Supervisory Park Ranger Andrew Donovan. Please register here to receive the Zoom link. This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 24 hours of the program.

Jammin With You

Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 am

Be prepared to laugh, dance, sing, and jam your way through 30 minutes of non-stop family fun! This performance is geared toward kids ages 1–7, but fun for the whole family. If the weather is 55 degrees or warmer, the program will be held outdoors behind the library, so bring a blanket or towel for sitting on the grass. If it’s rainy or under 55 degrees, we’ll meet indoors and space will be available on a first come, first served basis. Sponsored by the Friends of the Bacon Free Library.

In the Newsroom with NBC10 Boston/NECN’s Susan Tran

Monday, May 15 at 5:00 pm on Zoom

Meet Susan Tran, on-air reporter for NBC10Boston/NECN! We’ll be discussing how Susan got to where she is, her experiences in TV media, especially as an Asian American woman, and how local news impacts our perceptions of the world around us. Bring your questions - this is sure to be a fascinating and enlightening conversation! Please visit our website to register and receive the Zoom link. In collaboration with the Ashland Public Library.

Museum Passes

The BFL is happy to offer our patrons free or reduced-price passes for a selection of great local organizations! Visit our website to learn more.

Join One Of Our Book Clubs!

Visit our website or click below to learn more about our book clubs. Copies of book club titles are set aside at Bacon Free Library, and often also available to borrow digitally. Pick up a copy today so you're ready for the next meeting. New members always welcome!

Mystery Book Club
Thursday, May 4 at 1:00 pm
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

History Book Club
Thursday, May 11 at 11:00 am
Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand

Environmental Book Club
Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00 pm
Fen, Bog & Swamp by Annie Proulx

Nonfiction Book Club
Saturday, May 20 at 10:00 am
Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang

Around the web...

Here are some online materials we've seen recently:

• Shakespeare's First Folio turns 400
• In honor of Earth Day, the New York Times offers some of their favorite climate stories
• Check out the nominees for the 2023 International Booker Prize
• Food podcast recommendations to listen to while you cook

Stay Connected With Us!

• Our website
• Join one of our clubs
• Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• Library blog
• Librarian On Call
• Call us at 508-653-6730 
• Email us at [email protected]

Digital Resources

Check out some of these great online resources:

• Overdrive/Libby: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and more
• Kanopy: stream thousands of movies for free
• Hoopla: ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, videos, and more, all available with no wait list
• Morse Institute Library databases (Bacon Free Library cardholders may access these)
• Minuteman Library Network databases
• Project Gutenberg: thousands of free e-books in the public domain -- now's the time to catch up on some classics!
• Don't have a library card? Sign up online to begin accessing digital resources
• Having trouble with your library card password? Reset it here

Click Here for more information.